Michigan football: Pair of assistants named top minority head coach candidates
Michigan football head coach Jim Harbaugh has always placed a premium on having a quality coaching staff. Often times that means filling out the staff with up-and-comers that have a future in the sport. A pair of key minority assistants have been named among the top head coaching candidates in the country.
ESPN’s staff writers put together a list of 45 minority coaching candidates under 45 with Michigan’s Sherrone Moore and Mike Hart cracking the list.
Moore is in his fifth season with the program and second coaching the offensive line. This will be his first as co-offensive coordinator, a role he will share with quarterbacks coach Matt Weiss.
“Moore was a sneaky good under-the-radar hire for Michigan after four seasons at Central Michigan,” ESPN said. “After three years coaching tight ends, he switched to the offensive line in 2021, and Michigan won the Joe Moore Award as the nation’s top O-line. Moore is a strong recruiter and talent developer who will get more say in the offense after Gattis’ exit. He will share coordinator duties with Matt Weiss.
“‘I love him,’ a Power 5 coach said. ‘He’s big time.'”
Hart, a former Michigan star in his own right, is in his second season coaching the running backs. Despite being a coaching candidate, the Worldwide Leader believes he might need to try his hands at a coordinator gig.
“Michigan’s all-time rushing leader carries name recognition and has made his mark in coaching, especially within the Big Ten,” ESPN said. “He became associate head coach at Indiana in 2020 before returning to Michigan, where backs Hassan Haskins and Blake Corum stood out last fall. Hart is a strong personality who can lead a team, but might need a coordinator stint first.”
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A former Michigan face appears
When there were questions about Harbaugh’s candidacy for an NFL job, some had to confront the idea that Michigan might need a new head coach. Former offensive coordinator Josh Gattis was initially thought to be a candidate, then Harbaugh returned. Gattis chose to move to Miami (FL) as its offensive coordinator.
ESPN believes he is a future head coach, as well.
“The 2021 Broyles Award winner helped energize Michigan‘s offense en route to the program’s first CFP appearance,” they said. “He now gets even more autonomy at Miami under Mario Cristobal. Gattis has interviewed for several head-coaching positions and should get an opportunity soon, likely at a Power 5 program if Miami’s offense begins to surge.”
Wide receivers coach Ron Bellamy and defensive backs coach Steve Clinkscale are also considered rising minority stars in the profession from those in the know. It would not be a shock to see either of them in consideration of promotions in the near future given their coaching and recruiting chops.
Harbaugh’s adjustment to the staff was the secret sauce that spurred a Big Ten title last year. Michigan reaching those heights again could open more opportunities for assistants.
